It all started at the end of June when the 18-year-old winger for the Niagara IceDogs was selected in the first round of the National Hockey League draft by the Arizona Coyotes.

Then things really got busy.

A couple of weeks later Perlini headed to Phoenix for the Coyotes development camp where he and several other draft picks got a taste of life in the NHL, Coyotes style.

The organization had their draft picks doing everything from skating, to bowling, to taking in an Arizona Diamondbacks game.

On the ice, Perlini said the camp was a good mix of getting a feel for the NHL and the competitive spirit that comes anytime pro players lace up the skates.

"It was a bit of both," he said. "I think from what I heard most of them were pretty up tempo. They wanted us to get a feel for the area and get to know different things about the area.

"For me it was trying to learn everything about it, the pro kind of lifestyle. We had a workout in the morning and a skate in the afternoon. The first day we practised, the second day we played and the third day we played. Every time you got out there it was pretty competitive."

Off the ice, Perlini was selected to throw out the first pitch at a Diamondbacks game.

"(Max) Domi threw it last year and he threw it in the dirt and all the guys were laughing so he told me not to do that," Perlini said. "He told me to lob it in there. I was pretty nervous but it was a fun time."

Soon after returning from Phoenix to his off-season home in Sault Ste. Marie, Perlini capped off his summer by signing a three-year entry level deal that will pay him $1,425,000 a season if he plays in the NHL or $70,000 in the minors. He also receives a bonus of $277,500, payable over three years.

"To sign and get the contract done is great," Perlini said. "It's another step in the right way of trying to make their team and play this upcoming year. We were negotiating and the right deal was in place."

Perlini celebrated the deal with a round of golf.

"It was kind of a mellow day for me," he said. "I signed in the morning and I went with my brother and a couple of friends and played golf. Just kind of kept it relaxed. It was a fun day."

Perlini hasn't forgotten what got him to this point and has been working out diligently in preparation for the upcoming season.

"Coming from Arizona and the development camp I came straight back here to the Sault and started training and working out," he said. "The game is played on the ice and that's where I want to be. I want to be with the Coyotes. That would be something special to me now that I have the pieces in place as far as being drafted and signing, so it's just another step forward."